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Kelly, Rizzo among 20 invited to Padres camp

Kelly, Rizzo among 20 invited to Padres camp

12/6/10: MLB.com reporter Corey Brock discusses the prospects from the Red Sox that the Padres will receive in the Adrian Gonzalez deal

By Corey Brock
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MLB.com |

SAN DIEGO -- Pitcher Casey Kelly and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, two of the players obtained from the Red Sox last month in the Adrian Gonzalez trade, are among the 20 non-roster players invited by the Padres to Major League camp for Spring Training.

In all, the Padres invited 10 pitchers, three catchers and seven infielders to their Major League camp on Thursday.

Pitchers and catchers report to the Padres' facility at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Ariz., on Feb. 13. Position players report on Feb. 17 with the first full-squad workout set for Feb. 18.

A handful of the 20 players who earned invitations to Spring Training on Thursday have Major League experience, none more so than 28-year-old infielder Kevin Frandsen, who could have a good shot of making the 25-man Opening Day roster as a utility man.

Frandsen, who will make $575,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster, has spent parts of five seasons in the Major Leagues with the Giants (2006-09) and Angels (2010). He can play every position in the infield and play in the outfield in a pinch.

"I think it plays to my advantage," Frandsen said Thursday from his home in Scottsdale, Ariz. "I think it took me a while to accept it, but now I'm more than willing to do it. I love it.

"There's no guarantee, but this is a great opportunity. That's all I've ever asked for is an opportunity."

Frandsen hit .250 with the Angels last season and also split time with their Triple-A team in Salt Lake City and Triple-A Pawtucket, the Red Sox's top Minor League affiliate. He's a career .243 hitter at the Major League level. Frandsen owns a .312 average in the Minor Leagues.

Infielder Jesus Guzman, 26, hit .250 in 20 at-bats for the Giants in 2009. He hit .321 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs last season for the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Fresno. He's a career .303 hitter in the Minor Leagues with 100 home runs over seven seasons.

Infielder Gregorio Petit, 26, hit .278 in two stints with the A's in 2008-09. He spent all of last season with the Rangers' Triple-A team in Oklahoma City, hitting .251 with 53 RBIs and 12 steals.

Another player with Major League experience is catcher Guillermo Quiroz. The 29-year-old is a career .208 hitter over parts of seven Major League seasons with the Rangers, Jays, Mariners and Orioles. He figures to challenge Rob Johnson for the backup catcher spot in Spring Training.

Two pitchers with Major League experience coming to camp are right-handers Scott Munter and Luis Perdomo.

Munter, 30, spent parts of three seasons pitching for the Giants. He had a 2.66 ERA last season pitching for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in Portland.

Perdomo, 26, made one appearance for the Padres last season. He had a 4.80 ERA in 35 appearances for the Padres in 2009. He had a 3.40 ERA in 58 appearances for Portland a year ago.

Kelly, a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher, was considered the gem of the trade that sent Gonzalez to the Red Sox for four players. He's ticketed for Double-A San Antonio to begin the season.

Rizzo, 21, hit a combined .260 with 42 doubles, 25 home runs and 100 RBIs between two Minor League stops last season. He'll likely begin the season with San Antonio as well.